Click here to skip to main content.
scenic picture from Washington state
SUBJECTS › LEGAL › Impounding of Vehicles (Chapter 46.55 RCW)
Updated 11/09

Impounding of Vehicles (Chapter 46.55 RCW)

Contents

About Vehicle Impound

RCW 46.55.113 authorizes police officers to impound vehicles under the following circumstances:

  • when vehicles are abandoned on public ways as defined by RCW 46.55.113(a);
  • when it is obstructing traffic or jeopardizes public safety, RCW 46.55.113(b);
  • when there has been an accident, RCW 46.55.113(c);
  • when the driver of a vehicle is arrested and taken into custody, RCW 46.55.113(d);
  • when a  vehicle has been discovered stolen, RCW 46.55.113(e);
  • when an authorized vehicle is parked in a disabled person space,  RCW 46.55.113(f);
  • when a  person is operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver's or expired license,  RCW 46.55.113(g);
  • When a vehicle is illegally parked in a  the zone designated for special use  and where the vehicle is interfering with the proper and intended use of the zone, RCW 46.55.113(h); 

Additional authority for vehicle impounds includes:

Some jurisdictions adopt the provisions of RCW 46.55 by reference or have adopted the Model Traffic Ordinance.  Others basically restate the provisions in local ordinances and often include detailed provisions, such as those of RCW 46.55.113(g) with a  list of parking provisions subject to towing .  Under RCW 46.55.240, a city, town, or county may, by ordinance, authorize other impound situations that may arise locally upon the public right-of-way or other publicly owned or controlled property.     A few jurisdictions have added a provision to impound vehicles for unpaid parking fines.   Most jurisdictions have adopted the Model Traffic Ordinance (MTO). Cities, towns, and counties should carefully review the MTO before adopting or amending supplemental vehicle impoundment provisions

Statutes and Regulations

General Impound Ordinances

The provisions cited illustrate where a local government has written a separate section covering impoundment.  

Impoundment of Vehicles - Drivers with Suspended or Revoked Licenses (RCW 46.55.113)

  • Bellevue  Ordinance No. 5109
  • Island County Code Section 10.06.060 - Impoundment of Vehicles Driven by Suspended/Revoked Drivers
  • Marysville Code  Section 11.04.100  - Impoundment of vehicle where driver is arrested for violation of RCW 46.20.005, 46.20.015, 46.20.342, 46.20.420, 46.61.502, 46.61.504 – Period of impoundment 
  • Seattle
    • Seattle Ordinance No. 119180 before being amended by Ordinance 121483 in 2004
    • Seattle  Ordinance 121483 relating to the impoundment of vehicles, amending Sections 11.30.105 and 11.30.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code
    • History and proposed amendment to Seattle's Impound Law, Urban Politics #180, 5/20/04 by Councilmember Nick Licata
    • Council Committee Votes to Eliminate Vehicle Impounds for DWLS-3, News Release 5-18-04
  • Skamania County Code Chapter 10.54 -  Impoundment of Vehicles Driven by Suspended/Revoked Drivers
  • Yelm  Ordinance No. 646